CANicoll

Tamiya Update; Received an email just a few minutes ago from Tamiya USA which said they have the J sprue from a cannibalized kit which they will post to me at no charge. Super support from Tamiya on an out-of-production kit!

Fran, I see you are doing the Monogram/Revell B-29 in 1/48. What are your plans for that if I may ask? I have that kit too, and the 1/48 B-58 Hustler...

I'm wondering if I picked the right kit for this build. The Quinta cockpit set for the EJ aircraft is actually missing a complete IP, and instead has parts for an IP that is not used in the EJ variant. Hmmm. The characteristic metal tail of the F-4 had an uncharactistically HUGE mould line down the middle of the part. The nose also was almost impossible to put together without having a pronounced seam which I've started working on. Otherwise, things are progressing well. Despite the challenges, the cockpit looks really nice with the Quinta set in place. The color I used for the cockpit is FS 36321, Dark Gull Gray which the references I used said is the correct color. The Quinta set definitely is more of a light blue/gray. The Quinta IP question On the N sprue is the IP for the RIO which sits on the separation between the front and rear cockpit. Quinta doesn't have any pieces for this IP, instead, they have the pieces for the F35 IP, which is not used on the EJ aircraft. Strange... Started working on the metal tail, removing that mould line. Again, I should have taken the 'before' picture. Ditto on the nose. Despite working slowly and using Extra Thin, could not get the two halves to join up without creating a seam. Working on that, too. The sanding sticks are getting real workout on this build. The gatling gun won't be seen once the nose is buttoned up hence no detailing. Also, the muzzle end piece will be added before I put the rest of the cover on. Making progress! The seats are up next...

Thanks Carl, I'll probably give it a go with some stretched sprue, but am not going to stress about it. Unfortunately, I don't have the clear nose sprue as that didn't come with this kit - it was removed and the GT Resin intakes substituted. That's ok!

Peter, what color do you use for the cockpits on these jets?

Definitely want the air tank to go with the compressor. Thanks for the recommendation Peter and Rob. Chris

Making progress despite not having the compressor yet - or maybe because of it! The Quinta set went on beautifully. My initial hesitation with the different scope designs on the kit pieces compared to the Quinta set proved to be non-issues. A bit of work with a razor saw and sanding pad and Poof! Everything fits perfectly. For the IPs, and apologies for not taking in-process pictures, a bit of cutting made the difference. For part F-24 (left IP in the picture below), cutting the circular scope extension back to the shorter piece (which is where the base is solid) worked perfectly. For Part F26, merely cutting the circular scope back flush with the panel and sanding off the raised knobs and switches allowed the Quinta pieces (5 and 29) to sit perfectly. One note, the MRP color call out for USAF Interior Gray is not as blue as the Quinta pieces. Probably ok for the little bit you see on the IPs, but I may look at re-spraying the cockpit tub and sidewalls to obtain a better match. Have not quite put all the Quinta pieces on yet, but made good progress this morning on the front office: Happy Easter everyone!

What a cool build!!

Thanks Carl. I need something quiet as I'm in a condo building. I am surprised as how expensive these things can be! A part of the hobby I guess...

Perfect, thanks Scott! Very helpful, and HF just sent me a 15% off coupon. Seems like Karma, huh?

Carl, Well, We are 3/4 there, then LOL!! Tried to thin out the Gatling Gun cover, which went great, until the end when I broke one vent. Oh well. It was worth the 40 min using a sanding stick to thin the inside and then finish with a #11 blade (hence the break). At least its on the underside and will be hard to see. Will see about fixing the break...

Carl, Thank you! I have a lot of extra ordinance I won't be using so happy to send your way regardless. Cheers, Chris

Sigh, it has been a weekend! First as I get ready to lay down some cockpit colors, my air compressor tank springs a pinhole leak. I clearly have not been very good at draining the tank like I should. Ok, have a temp until the new compressor shows up tomorrow. Got the cockpit color laid down. Yay! THEN, as I move through the instruction book, time to work on the rear horizontal stabilizers. Umm WHAT stabilizers?? The entire J sprue is missing. I knew when I bought the kit the clear nose was gone, and the GT intakes were added. Nobody said anything about the stabilizers going away. Sent a message to Tamiya USA to see how I can get another J Sprue for this kit. There really are NOT that many steps to this build. The cockpit is the bulk of the work.

Any idea how to get from the quick disconnect shop adapter to something I can put a moisture trap/pressure adjuster on to size down to an airbrush hose? This is NOT my area of specialty...

I LIKE it!!!

Sigh, My trusty Badger compressor's air tank just let loose with a pin-hole leak. My bad for not draining it as religiously as I should have... Just as I had lined up a lot of painting for today!

Peter, Sorry, just found this thread. As Mike has said, the Metallics are different than Model Air, and spray beautifully. I also have the Flow Enhancer and do not use it with the Metallics - I don't think its needed. Agree with Mike on the Vallejo Gloss Black primer - wonderful stuff and when I need a gloss black I often defer to using just that. However, I do thin it about 30% with their thinner, if not a bit more. I have seen where, maybe depending on humidity, it seems to go on splotchy, but if you have patience and just let it dry, it smooths out nicely. It does seem like SB has trouble getting the Gloss Black primer, versus the regular Black primer. Chris

Wow, quite the upgrade and fantastic quality of work. Fran, thanks for the review. Are you using the kit in a build now? Chris

That is just the coolest looking thing! Love the LEDs. Nice work Carl!!

Carl, Thanks. I did see a number of IP Panels and finally looked at the back of the instruction booklet to see which parts don't get used. Thanks for the note. Chris

Peter, I still can't believe your missiles!! I think I'll be going blind when I get to mine, but yours look amazing so I at least have a target to shoot for. I did see where even the camo'd Phantoms were still covered in stencils, so I'll be setting aside extra patience (and reference materials!) for that task. Just pulled the Tamiya sheet with the stencils - it was hidden in the bottom of the box, face down so white on white. Just found it. Over 300....Ugh.

Thanks Peter, and I agree with you. I'm just going to use what I have and I'm sure I'll be happy with the result. The Quinta set I have says early E/EJ and I'm using the Tamiya EJ kit, but not stressing about it. Eyeballing it I do not think there will be major problem getting the pieces in place. I did look at some reviews and build threads on the F-4 and several people noted the extensive stenciling on the F-4, and how on the SEA planes the stenciling varied from white (on green background) to black (on tan background). So ordered a set of stencils. THREE SHEETS!!! The stenciling may take me to Christmas...

John, Beautiful build! First one done, that is not a surprise!! Nice work!! Love this aircraft and your build is terrific. That Ares kit is very cool and you did a great job putting that in. Chris

Oh, that is REALLY COOOL!

One issue I'm having to work with is the Tamiya instruction sheet diagram of the IP panels does not quite match up with what the Quinta IP decals look like. In most instances, such as the side panels, the Quinta pieces are definitely a nice representation. However, for the main IPs, the differences are pretty apparent. This is where my lack of detailed research and knowledge about the F-4 shows itself. This build may not be the most accurate of aircraft builds I've done. The front scope is of a very different shape between the Tamiya and the Quinta sets. The shape and size of the scope here is particularly different. This is the Quinta set for the F-4EJ, too. Most of the cockpit parts are primed and will be painted the cockpit color this week, then we will see how the Quinta set works with this cockpit.